Royal Holloway's Independent Student Newspaper

Let’s talk Mental Health

Content Writer | Hannah Elliott

Despite becoming legitimised by the World Health Organisation and efforts to extinguish the stigma surrounding it, mental health is still something that is frequently misconceived. If we were instructed to build a car engine with no previous knowledge, we would find ourselves completely stumped. This would not be because we are unintelligent, but because we have no real knowledge or experience in this field. Therefore, how would we be even begin to fathom the fundamental basics of understanding something so complex?

As a Fresher, international or even perhaps a returning student, many of you will be able to encapsulate how daunting it can be entering an entirely different position socially, academically and geographically. For many Freshers, this may be your first time being away from home and your families. You are responsible for your own finances and studies, which initially can seem nerve-wracking. In the chaotic excitement of settling in, making new friends and finding it hilarious to steal traffic cones, we can sometimes forget to take care of our mental well-being.

There are many things in life such as a bereavement or any kind of drastic life change that we may not understand the effects of until we are faced with such. We therefore would not automatically know how to recognize any effects which these may have. If we have no previous knowledge of how something can impact our well-being, how are we able to recognise that such things can have an adverse effect on us or those around us? Life throws unpredictable challenges at us, and added into the mix of a completely new environment, these things can have a detrimental impact on how we function efficiently and can be debilitating at times.

Every one of us feel’s blue from time to time, however, when this reaches a point where it impacts you socially and your academic performance, it is vital to seek help. If you find yourself losing all interest in activities you once loved, finding yourself entirely lacking in any motivation, isolating yourself from others or having suicidal or intrusive thoughts, Royal Holloway is an extremely supportive community that offers a range of help from the Hall Life Team, to Student Wellbeing. Royal Holloway also provide a counselling service.

To register, visit Founders office West 171which is open Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm.

Finally, always communicate with your department. They won’t be able to help you if they are unaware of your situation. If you are suffering, remind yourself of everything you have faced which you believed to be unbearable, yet here you stand today, undefeated. You worked hard to be where you are and deserve only the best quality of life, never be afraid to ask for help.